TAMIU Athletics Granted Active NCAA Division II Status

Dustdevil Teams Immediately Eligible For Heartland And NCAA Postseason Play

TAMIU Athletics seventh season of competition will be its first as an active NCAA Division II member.

July 23, 2008

Texas A&M International University Athletics Director Dr. Debbie Snell announced today that TAMIU has been accepted as an active NCAA Division II member, effective Sept. 1, 2008. The news was received during a morning conference call with the NCAA membership staff.

TAMIU has competed the last two seasons as a NCAA Division II provisional member of the Heartland Conference. With full membership status Dustdevil Athletics teams are immediately eligible to compete for Conference championships and NCAA tournament berths.

Dr. Snell says that becoming a full member took a team effort by the University community.

"We are very excited about the announcement from the NCAA Membership Services and we want to thank everyone who worked so hard to get us to this point," Snell said.

"We have a great staff, not only in Athletics, but also in the Registrar's Office, Financial Aid and Admissions. Thanks also to our president Dr. Ray Keck and vice president for finance and administration, Joe García and for their continued support."

Dr. Snell continued by emphasizing the importance of community support for the program.

"I would like to invite everyone in the community to come to campus, attend games, get to know our coaches and student-athletes and get involved in the excitement at TAMIU Athletics. Come support our programs and help us make a difference in the lives of young people as we move TAMIU Athletics to the top of the Heartland Conference," Snell concluded.

TAMIU Athletics first competed in the fall of 2002 as a five-team Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) NAIA program. The inaugural sports were men's and women's soccer, volleyball and men's and women's golf.

Dustdevil Athletics teams competed in the RRAC for four academic years before making the move to NCAA Division II provisional status in the fall of 2006. TAMIU currently sponsors 11 sports.

For sports schedules, team information and more about Dustdevil Athletics, visit godustdevils.com